Cataluna Area Schools Considered by Expats

A snapshot overview of schooling in the Barcelona area, plus very general info on schools considered (although not necessarily chosen) by expats. We just don't have enough sound input from parents yet to select and fully cover any school in particular with full-blown GSGI reviews. But we're working on it, so watch this space!

CATALUÑA

Life in sophisticated Barcelona and the industrial city suburbs is light years away from the existence to be found further south in the farming and tourist world. There is a huge demand by those Spaniards who can afford it for private schooling for their children. We are told by contacts in Barcelona that all the private schools have long waiting lists conditioned by space considerations, and staff are under constant pressure from people of influence to admit a few extra pupils for their own family and/or friends, particularly in those schools which offer teaching in English. For more specific factual information about the local system, it is advisable to look at the website of the British Council offices in Barcelona - www.britishcouncil.es.

There are numerous vocational schools suitable for school-leavers, but a good prior knowledge of Spanish is required to keep pace. Numerous language colleges offer courses in both Catalan - the regional language- and Castillian Spanish such as ESADE - www.esade.edu. The University of Barcelona admits foreigners with appropriate qualifications for degree courses as well as running summer vacation courses in Spanish language and literature.

The following is a list of schools in the Barcelona area, well-known in the business and diplomatic community but largely untested of late.

Kensington School

Carrer dels Cavallers 31-33, 08034 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 204 15 79
Fax: 93 280 50 67
Web: www.kensingtonschoolbcn.com
Pupils: 260, Teaching Staff: 18
Boys and Girls accepted from 5 years up to G.C.E. "A" level. Recognised local examinations centre for G.C.E. Pupils also prepared for American College board examinations. Member of National Association of British Schools in Spain.

Oak House School

San Pedro Claver 12-18, 08017 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 252 40 20
Fax: 93 252 40 22
Web: www.oakhouseschool.com
Nursery (3 & 4 years old) up to lower seniors (13 years). Children under 10 AIM to G.C.S.E. Co-educational. Spanish B.U.P. and C.O.U. Member of National Association of British Schools in Spain and E.C.I.S.

Anglo American School

Ginesta, 3608860 Castelldefels (about two miles south of Barcelona)

Tel: 93 665 15 84
Fax: 93 664 14 44
Day and Boarding school. Co-educational from Kindergarten to G.C.E. "A" Level. Pupils accepted in USA for American High School credits. Accredited by Spanish Ministry of Education. Member of National Association of British Schools in Spain.

The American School of Barcelona

Balmes 708950 Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona)

Tel: 93 371 40 16 / 93 371 50 12
Fax: 93 473 47 87
Web: www.a-s-b.com
Provides an American education for boys and girls from age 3 to US High School 12th grade. School offers a programme of studies which offers access to North American and Spanish Universities.

English Academy Santa Claus

Leon XIII, 1208022 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 211 67 78
Fax: 93 211 29 32
Pupils: 250, Teaching Staff: 14

Boys and Girls accepted from 3 to 14 years. Tuition exclusively in English ages 3 and 4. Spanish is introduced at 5 years of age. Ages 6 to 14. English Tuition between ten and seven hours weekly. The school follows a Spanish curriculum.

St. Peter's School

Eduard Toldra 14-1808034 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 204 31 58 / 93 204 36 12
Fax: 93 205 38 05
Pupils: 640, Teaching Staff: 75
Infant and Junior school (ages 3 to 12) run by English-speaking staff. From 12 upwards, tuition in Spanish (for EGB, BUP and COU) except for teaching of English Language, literature and one other subject. Associate Member of the National Association of British Schools in Spain.

St. Paul's School

Avda Pearson 4508034 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 203 6001
Fax: 93 205 7570
Web: www.stpauls.es
Pupils: 590, Teaching Staff: 60
Age range 3 to 18 years, including Spanish EGB, BUP and COU. Also International Baccalaureate. From 3 to 5 years, instruction in English, from 6 to 10 years, 50% of instruction in English and from 11 to 18 years, 30% instruction in English. Associate member of the E.C.I.S (European council for International Schools).

Parvulario Panda

Carrer Feran Puig 59 torre, 08023 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 219 79 91
Provides nursery facilities in English and Spanish for children from 1 1/2 to 6 years. English classes for children from ages 6 to 13 on Monday and Wednesday from 5.45 to 7.45 pm. The school uses the "Pathway study system" in English for our students in the 6 to 13 year group. These evening courses are open to children from other day schools. Provides facilities to study at Summer Courses in Cambridge for children from 13 to 16 years.

John Talabot

Escoles Pies 13608017 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 212 34 99
Provides Nursery, Primary and Secondary facilities in English, Spanish and Catalan for ages 3 to 16. If the new arrival has some background in Spanish already and location suits then this might be a worthwhile option. Has 50% teaching in English and 50% of lessons in Spanish and Catalan.

Princess Margaret School

Ptge Font d'en Fargas 15-17, 08032 BARCELONA

Tel: 93 420 81 66
Children aged 3 to 17. Nursery E.G.B. (Educación General Básica (Basic General Education ie Infant - Primary)) and B.U.P. (Bachillerato Unificado Polivalente (Baccalaureate)). Set up some 30 years ago as a trilingual school (Spanish, Catalan and English) for ages 3 to 16 years and probably more appealing to locals looking for an international education for their children rather than expats arriving looking for international schools. But, having said that, if the new arrival has some background in Spanish already and location suits then this might be a worthwhile option. Like above mentioned John Talabot school (which has 50% teaching in English and 50% of lessons in Spanish and Catalan). Many high fliers, once they have Spanish, tend to stick in the Hispanic world whether it be Spain itself or LatAm).

ESCAAN Anglo Catalan School

Passeig de les Acacies s/nPasseig Issac Albeniz s/n08870 SitgesUrb. Vallpineda(Barcelona)

Tel: 93 894 20 40
Fax: 93 894 61 78

280 pupils; boys and girls accepted from 1 to 12 years old following the English National Curriculum leading to GCSE and A/AS levels. Member of ECIS.

Urbanitzacio Fornells Park17458 Fornells de la Selva(Girona)

Tel: 972 47 60 65
Fax: 972 47 66 69

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